'We can solve crimes and take control of our community'

Friday

Feb 22, 2013 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - City Councilman Michael Tubbs hosted a community meeting in partnership with Rep. Jerry McNerney on Wednesday at the Dorothy L. Jones Center in south Stockton's Williams Brotherhood Park. Tubbs and McNerney were preparing to deliver their remarks on crime, public safety and the importance of Neighborhood Watch groups when a man was wounded in a drive-by shooting around the corner, underscoring comments they made before the meeting began.

Jason Anderson

STOCKTON - City Councilman Michael Tubbs hosted a community meeting in partnership with Rep. Jerry McNerney on Wednesday at the Dorothy L. Jones Center in south Stockton's Williams Brotherhood Park. Tubbs and McNerney were preparing to deliver their remarks on crime, public safety and the importance of Neighborhood Watch groups when a man was wounded in a drive-by shooting around the corner, underscoring comments they made before the meeting began.

"Stockton has great potential, but we still have a little bit of a crime problem, so if we can get the community to organize and watch out for each other and cooperate with authorities, we can reduce crime, and businesses will want to move in," McNerney said. "There's a lot of infrastructure here, and prices are low. I think we can really build up a good economy here if we can get people to feel safe on our streets, so that's what this meeting is all about."

The meeting drew 50 to 60 residents who turned out to hear Tubbs, McNerney and others. Some wanted to know what police were doing to stem the rise of violent crime in Stockton after two years of record murder rates. Others wanted to know how they could join Neighborhood Watch groups.

"There's been so much violence, so I said, 'OK, let me go see what's going on and maybe I can help,' " Stockton resident Kathleen Jones said. "We all need to get together. I grew up out here, and it used to be really nice. I don't know if it's this generation that changed it or what, but something needs to be done, and if something needs to be done, I'm right there to do it. God knows, if I see anything, I will tell."

Jesse Perez, another Stockton resident, said he recently retired and has become more vigilant in his neighborhood.

"I've been here for 60 years, and I'm kind of upset that I never got involved, but I'm trying to get more involved now that things are getting out of hand," Perez said. "Anything people can do to get involved and participate is better than sitting at home doing nothing."

Capt. Scott Meadors of the Stockton Police Department said a growing number of people have expressed interest in joining Neighborhood Watch. Meadors said the Police Department helps new Neighborhood Watch groups coordinate their first meetings, providing information and insight on crime prevention.

"Citywide, we're seeing a big increase in people who are joining established groups or people who want to start their own groups," Meadors said. "Neighborhood Watch has always been important, and it's even more important now with the staffing levels for city services and county services. The more people who are involved in any program that helps their community, the better it is for that community, for the people living there and for law enforcement."

Tubbs agreed, saying Neighborhood Watch groups can play a vital role in reducing crime.

"Neighborhood Watches are incredibly important," Tubbs said. "They're not the solution in and of themselves, but they're definitely a part of it, because when the community is active, alert, empowered and communicating with the Police Department, then we can solve crimes and take control of our community."